CS/HB 207 - Driver Licenses Summary

• Prohibits driver license suspension solely for failure to pay traffic penalties or court fines if a person demonstrates financial hardship or meets documented criteria of inability to pay (unemployment, disability, bankruptcy, indigency, etc.)

• Allows courts to convert unpaid financial obligations into community service requirements, with credit based on federal minimum wage rates or prevailing wage rates for skilled trades

• Reduces driver license suspension/revocation periods for drug offenses from 1 year to 6 months for adults and youth; repeals school attendance requirement for driving privileges (eliminates s. 322.091)

• Modifies collection practices by authorizing (rather than requiring) clerks to pursue collection through private attorneys or agencies, mandating competitive bidding at least every 2 years and prohibiting additional transfer surcharges

• Revises traffic citation forms to inform violators of payment plan options and the ability to satisfy penalties through community service; effective July 1, 2016